Declare Sarawak polling day a fully paid public holiday, say locals

MIRI – Sarawakians are calling for the state to declare December 18 a fully paid public holiday to enable more voters to cast their votes.

Long Jeh native Patrick Jalong said he will need to travel at least eight hours from Miri to get back to vote in his polling station.

“I work here in (Miri) city but my voting station is in Baram. I will need to travel back the afternoon before polling day just to cast my ballot.

“It will be good for all if December 17 and 18 can be declared special public holidays for outstation voters.

“These holidays must come with full salaries, not deducted by our employers.

“At the very least, declare December 18 a public holiday but with a full salary,” he told The Vibes.

The Rise of Sarawak Efforts (Rose) civil society group had yesterday initiated the call for the polling day to be declared as a special public holiday in Sarawak.

Rose chairperson Ann Teo, in a press statement, had said the day still remains a working day.

“If it is not a public holiday, it may affect the turnout of voters. The state secretary can declare it a special public holiday.

“It must be a fully paid public holiday. All in the public and private sectors can then go to cast their ballots so that turnout will be higher,” she said, adding that there are many voters who need to travel far to their home polling stations.– The Vibes, December 15, 2021